“All violence consists of some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do.”
– Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), Russian philosopher
Jigsaw puzzles. Pegs and holes.
Business.
Life.
Forcing it rarely works, and when it does, it doesn’t work well for everyone.
That’s not to say that sometimes, we don’t have to force something, but as a general rule, if there is forcing going on, there is, by some definition, violence present — even if the threats aren’t suffering or death — and violence is going to be resisted.
Better to find a way to make someone want to do what you want them to do.
Barb Woods says
I just read a great book on this very thing, Steve. THE SERVANT by James Hunter. Most of it in story form. Very simple. Very on point. (Both your comments and this book!)